In fact, according to the latest study of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the number of Australian citizens that visited the Bel Paese in 2023 - around 311,760 – grew 19 per cent since 2019.

This figure breaks the record for the number of Australian tourists arriving in Italy during a single year.

“We know Australians have a strong connection with Italy which has only blossomed since travel patterns have normalised,” said Emmanuele Attanasio, the national manager of tourism agency ENIT.

“It’s fantastic to see the numbers back this up as we look towards another strong year ahead.”

Attanasio says that since the ABS only counts people who spend a majority of their time in Italy as opposed to anyone who visits at all, the real number of Australians who travel there is likely to be even more impressive.

“We know many Australians choose to spend a portion of their time in the country as part of a bigger European getaway.” 

He also cited the openness of those visiting Italy to not be overly attached to the idea of a European summer as another reason for the spike.

“Australians are more open to travelling to Italy outside the key summer months,” he explained.

“They know the weather is milder, but not at the cost of sunshine and exciting seasonal events with Piedmont’s White Truffle Festival and the Feast of Sant Agata in Catania starting to attract more Australian visitors.

“Many of Italy’s popular destinations don’t shut down when the temperatures drop; people are discovering they have multi-dimensional offerings and year-round appeal.

“Winter has so much to offer. The northern regions offer world-class winter sports, with the Dolomites getting bountiful snowfalls from November, for example.

“And if you’re still chasing the sun, many parts of the South can still offer a touch of summer. Sicily in February is gorgeous and still warm enough to eat al fresco,” he added.

Attanasio and ENIT encourage Australians to try to discover less ‘touristy’ destinations for their upcoming trip to the Bel Paese.

“From stunning small towns like Praiano on the Amalfi Coast and the lakeside town Baveno in Piedmont to the underrated wine regions of Umbria and Le Marche, there might be more to explore in Italy than you first thought,” concluded Attanasio.